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Microsoft will unveil pricing for Windows 7 in a few weeks, a Web site that has accurately predicted past company moves said today.
Although Microsoft quietly delivered Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2) to TechNet and MSDN subscribers last week, the company has still has not made the upgrade available to other users.
The commercial sponsor and originator of the Ubuntu project, Canonical, has stepped into new territory with the launch of a storage and sync service called Ubuntu One. In the tradition of open source marketing, this has been a "quiet product launch",...
Pirated copies labeled as the Technical Preview of Microsoft's Office 2010 have leaked to the Internet, according to searches on popular file-sharing sites.
Just over a week after Microsoft handed Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) to the public, the new operating system's market share gains have started to slow, according to data from Web metrics vendor Net Applications.
The Microsoft executive in charge of Windows urged some companies this week to dump Vista deployment plans and shift to Windows 7, the operating system the company has promised to ship in the fourth quarter.
After months of problems that delayed the last two betas of Firefox 3.5, Mozilla Corp. is now on track to deliver the first release candidate early next month.
Mac users have reported an unusual number of problems installing Mac OS X 10.5.7, the huge security and feature update that Apple unveiled yesterday.
Intel Corp. said today it intends to appeal the European Commission's $1.44 billion fine for anticompetitive behavior in the chip market, with CEO Paul Otellini arguing that the EC "ignored or disregarded" evidence "refuting" its judgment.
Apple today patched 67 vulnerabilities in Mac OS X, including two bugs that researchers used in March to walk off with $5,000 each in a noted hacking contest.
Microsoft Windows 7 pirated versions have been found with hard-to-detect trojans intended for cybercrime purposes, according to a security firm.
Microsoft yesterday said it would begin shipping early copies of Office 2010 to invite-only users in July, and has begun taking names for possible invitations to the preview.
Parallels is developing a tool that will allow users to run Windows XP applications on machines running Windows 7.
Microsoft will make Windows 7 available to businesses and consumers in time for the typically busy holiday shopping season in the fourth quarter of the year, according to company officials.
Microsoft's delivery of Windows 7 Release Candidate (RC) earlier this week boosted use of the new operating system by 22% since Monday, according to data from Web measurement company Net Applications.
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First impression on unpacking the Q702 test unit was the solid feel and clean, minimalist styling.


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Fans of NFL fashion — you’re out there, don’t be shy — mark your calendars for April 3.
Nike Inc. on Thursday dispatched invites to a media event in New York City in which it will unveil the National Football League uniforms for next season.
As far as Nike announcements go, this one is likely to be more watched than the routine product announcement.
The event marks the start of Nike’s five-year deal to be the league’s provider of on-field apparel, which includes game uniforms and sideline apparel.
The Washington County sporting goods giant (NYSE: NKE) is likely to show off the uniforms for all 32 NFL teams at the April 3 event.
As I’ve written before, uniform purists are bracing themselves for the worst, fearing the company that brought the uniform-du-jour movement to college football could do the same to the venerable NFL.
That’s not likely to happen.
Though Nike is expected to show off the uniforms of every team during the event, that doesn’t mean every one is getting a massive makeover.
Some — notably the Seattle Seahawks — are expected to have a new look. But the game’s oldest franchises (the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, Chicago Bears and Indianapolis Colts, to name a few) aren’t likely to stray too far from tradition. Doing so would stray from the teams’ brand image and, more than just football teams, these franchises are each massive consumer brands.
But after 10 seasons with Reebok, Nike’s bound to bring a new aesthetic to the league and its uniforms.
To that end, a few predictions:
- Innovation integration: Nike, as a brand, in recent years has become as much about innovation as it has style, so expect some of the functional frills found in its footwear and college uniforms to be showcased prominently in the NFL gear. I expect to see Nike’s "Flywire" stabilization technology, for example, to be featured in the jersey collars, immediately changing the look of every team. Also don’t be surprised to see things like the “Chain Maille Mesh” breathable fabric Nike debuted with its Oregon Ducks Rose Bowl uniforms.
- Stylized helmets: Nike has been known to favor a variety of finishes for football helmets in the college game, giving teams, in some cases, multiple helmet options (from a matte finish to garishly glossy to the pattern heavy). A lot of this has been done in partnership with Newberg-based Hydro Graphics Inc., which last year did its first NFL work with the Super Bowl Champion New York Giants. I wouldn’t be surprised to see more Hydra Graphics work in the NFL during Nike’s tenure as NFL outfitter.
- Accessorize: There’s a reason Nike’s college football program has been given the unwieldy title of “Nike Pro Combat System of Dress.” System means more than pants and a jersey: it’s Nike stylized gloves, baselayer apparel, footwear, and socks — each contributing something different to the set's look and function. Nike already showed they’re preparing NFL-themed gloves. I’d expect to see more.
As far as the rest of Nike’s NFL apparel, your guess is as good as mine, though Nikeblog.com on Tuesday gave consumers an early taste of some of the brand’s retail apparel.
Now we just wait until April 3.
Nike being what it is, it should be quite a show.

domain: news


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The well-known search engine company has accused Google of wrongly gathering Android user data in Australia. Google has alleged that Oracle, a software company that makes this allegation, is using software. Although there have been such allegations earlier in the previous year on Google in November last year. Oracle has appealed to the Australian Competition and Privacy Regulator to investigate this matter. In the Australian regulatory order, Oracle said on May 15 that Google is gathering millions of Android users without informing them without informing them, for which the telecom companies have to pay charges for data usage. Let's say that the social media company Facebook has also been accused of data theft a few months ago.
Google cleared cleanliness: Answering the allegations, the company spokesman said that Google has permission to collect users' data. For data consuming in the use of any type of location related service, users are charged according to plan of telecom companies. Use of any such service depends on the user. If users think that they are being charged for consuming data then they can deactivate their service by going to their user settings.
The Australian regulator is investigating: Australian regulator has said that he is currently investigating Oracle's complaints. We are finding that users (users) have any information about it or not. If any of the users use any search or location service, then the telecom companies are charging the data in the gigabyte for consumption. In some mobile plans, users get fewer data, after which telecom service providers are charging separately for the data used.
There is a long dispute between the two companies: Please let us know that there is a long-standing dispute between Oracle and Google regarding the royalty given on using the Java platform. Oracle wants Google to give her royalty to Java, while Google has been offering that the Java platform should be used for free.
Content and image by jagran.com and converted by google translate.


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OPPO F9 & F9 Pro with Dual Rear Cameras to Launch in August
Back in March this year, OPPO launched the OPPO F7 and F7 128GB smartphones in India. Unlike the China-exclusive OPPO R15 smartphones, the F7 smartphones came with mediocre specifications. While the device came with a modern looking notch display, it only featured a single camera on the rear. Now, the latest news suggests the company to soon launch next-gen smartphones in the mid-range F-series. While there is no official confirmation, the company will be launching the OPPO F9 and F9 Pro smartphones in August.
The company will be mainly selling the OPPO F9 smartphones in India and Southeast Asian markets. From the teaser image, the device will be coming with dual cameras on the rear. The devices are also now Bluetooth certified and will be coming Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity. We hope the company includes the fingerprint sensor on both these upcoming devices. While the earlier launched OPPO F7 smartphones came with fingerprint sensors, the Realme 1 and flagship OPPO Find X only has face unlock option.
Just like the OPPO F7, the upcoming OPPO F9 smartphones might also come with glass back body. The OPPO F7 sports 6.2″ IPS display with Full HD+ (2280 x 1080 pixels) resolution and 19:9 aspect ratio. It comes powered by 12nm MediaTek Helio P60 octa-core processor coupled Mali G71 GPU. The device came with the latest Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Talking about the cameras, it sports 25MP selfie camera on the front with f/2.0 aperture. On the rear, the OPPO F7 offers a single 16MP camera with f/1.8 aperture.
With the OPPO F7 devices, the company has included AI-based camera features. As there is no official confirmation, take these details with a pinch of salt. Stay tuned on PhoneRadar for more details!Share


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Making room for talent: Phoenicia’s Hotel Art Photo competition celebrates second successful year
March 16, 2018, Beirut – After a successful inaugural edition, the PhoeniciaHotelArtPhoto (PHAP) competition is celebrating an impressive second year culminating in an exhibition of the 12 resulting works of art currently on display at the Phoenicia Lobby.
At the opening night of the exhibition, celebrated in a cocktail reception on Thursday March 15th, the winner of the year-long competition was announced by Phoenicia General Manager Dagmar Symes as Mrs. Nathalie Zeidan Chebaklo, whose winning entry was titled A wedding dress…A story.
During the year-long PHAP initiative each month saw one photographer hosted for a night at the Phoenicia Hotel and invited to produce one art photo during his or her stay. The resulting 12 works were judged by a jury in which the inaugural judges from PHAP 2017 were joined by new judges for this year. The jury was as follows:
INAUGURAL JUDGES: Globally Exhibited Photographer Roger Moukarzel; Art Collector Tarek Nahas; President of the Videoinsight® Foundation Rebecca Russo; SGHL Chairman Mazen Salha; PHAP Founding Judge Najib Salha and Phoenicia Hotel Former Area General Manager 2009-15 Georg Weinlaender.
NEW JUDGES: Filmmaker & Art Photographer Charbel Bouez; Photographer & Board Director Raymond Khalifé; Artist & Writer Jeroen Kramer; Commercial & Art Photographer Mamad Mossadegh; Phoenicia Hotel & Le Vendôme Hotel General Manager Dagmar Symes.
The grand prize of USD 5,000 also came with a quirky twist: it was increased by the same amount in dollars as the room number allocated to the winning artist during their stay; Mrs. Zeidan Chebaklo had stayed in Room 2022 and thus scooped a total prize amount of USD 7,022.
The opening night drew a large attendance to admire the 12 works of art produced during the second edition of the PhoeniciaHotelArtPhoto (PHAP) competition. The exhibition will be open to the public in the Phoenicia lobby until the end of March, with a limited edition of five prints available for sale on a first come basis. Each unframed photo edition is priced at $500 with 50 percent of the sale price donated to the designated charity of the artist.
Expectations are high that the PHAP competition will continue to go from strength to strength, and applications for 2018/2019 are already being received. For more information on limited edition photo print sales or on applying for PHAP, please contact firstname.lastname@example.org


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BRAINS will produce a special beer to celebrate the efforts of 15 Welsh rugby captains to climb Kilimanjaro.
Former skipper Mike Hall spent yesterday afternoon delving into the brewing world as he sampled different hops, malts and ales to help design a special commemorative beer in honour of the Captains Climb.
Brains will brew the unique beer to support the event and boost lung cancer research in Wales.
Hall, one of the 15 former Wales captains who will climb Kilimanjaro next year, was among a small panel to start the brewing process by selecting the taste of the new beer.
The Captains Climb is the brainchild of Wales team photographer Huw Evans, whose wife Sue was diagnosed with lung cancer last year.
Hall said: “This is a cause that affects everyone because cancer affects everyone. I have two close friends whose wives have breast cancer and an ex-girlfriend who has had non-Hodgkins lymphoma.
“This is something that is very worthwhile and a challenge all the boys will take very seriously.”
It is hoped the beer, which is yet to be named, will be available in pubs by November and a bottled version by next year.
A proportion of the sales will be donated to the Velindre Stepping Stones appeal.
And the beer could also find its way to the roof of Africa as the captains take a few bottles with them on the challenging climb.
Bill Dobson, head brewer at Brains, said: “I think this choice of beer is a good one and combines some of the key ingredients and flavours that we can deliver in beer.
“It has some nice fruity hoppiness and some balanced malt flavours – it’s a beer that’s unique in characteristic.”
And Sue Evans, the inspiration for the Captains Climb, who as been treated for lung cancer, said: “Selling a beer is a great idea as everyone can join in because everyone can go into a pub and buy a pint knowing that some of that money will go to this appeal.
“It is fantastic of Brains to have come on board and created a partnership with the ex-Wales captains.
“Hopefully this will spread the word and get people interested in lung cancer research and the fact that it can happen to anyone.”
Richard Davies, the sales and marketing director at Brains, added: “We’re delighted to be able to work with the captains to produce this special Brains SA Captains Climb beer, which we will distribute throughout our outlets.
“With 15 ex-captains of Wales climbing one of the highest peaks in the world, we’re confident that the beer will be a huge success.
“We hope that pub-goers throughout Wales will raise their glasses and help generate vital funds for the Stepping Stones appeal.”


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PTC has set out to do something genuinely new with its summer series of Executive Roundtable events. And after being invited to exclusively report on last month’s high-profile seminar in Paris, WhichPLM were also present at the latest event in the series this month to find out whether that uniqueness had made the transition across the channel.
Continuing our trend for exclusive and detailed event reporting, our Editor sets out in detail his impressions from this year's International Retailing event, which took place in London this June. With a broader remit than the title might suggest, the British Retail Consortium's headline event featured prominent industry figures discussing the changes that retail (both online and high street) has undergone, and how internationalisation is just one of many keys to future growth and profitability on the world stage. Comprehensive and exclusive, Ben Hanson's report is not to be missed.
TXT e-Solutions are no strangers to the fashion capitals of the world. The company is headquartered in Milan - where their first “Thinking Retail!” event took place - and on 29th March the rooftop Jardin d’Hiver in Paris’s Pavillon Kléber played host to the second seminar in that series.
Our Editor, Ben Hanson, was the only journalist invited to the event, and his full, exclusive report is now available to all WhichPLM readers.
Following on from his "Best of NRF 2012", our Editor sets out in detail his impressions from this year's National Retail Federation Conference & Expo. Covering the state of the global retail market, the emerging worldwide trends that hope to reinvigorate it, and PLM's place in both, Ben Hanson's NRF 2012 Report is not to be missed.


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California’s economy continues to be affected not only by economic disruptions caused by severe weather events, but also the threat of disasters like wildfires, earthquakes and floods, and even a potential recession. Risk assessment, preparedness, response, recovery and resiliency are ongoing concerns for community leaders, who know that it’s not a question of if there will be another economic disruption, but when will it happen — and whether jurisdictions and businesses are prepared.
To help city and county leaders address economic resiliency, the U.S. Economic Development Administration has partnered with the California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) to create and publish the Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook, a new manual now available free at https://caled.org/economic-development-recovery. As the largest economic development professional association in California, CALED worked with federal, state and local economic developers in writing this practical guide for jurisdictions.
The Playbook provides best practices, tools and methodically lays out a roadmap to creating a sustainable, nimble economy that is resilient in the face of economic disruption. This includes sharing current model practices to show what these ideas look like in action. With step-by-step, in-depth information, the Playbook guides jurisdictions through the process of preparing for, responding to and recovering from such an event, whether it is a natural disaster or other disruption. The Playbook also includes an appendix of useful federal, state, regional and local resiliency and recovery resources that offer support for businesses and local governments experiencing a crisis of this type.
“The Playbook is a timely resource that will enhance the ability of governments and organizations throughout the Golden State to prepare for and respond to situations that challenge our shared vision of American prosperity,” said U.S. Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo.
“We often say that resiliency and recovery go hand in hand because recovery is not linear. It’s a process, and while you’re in response or recovery mode for one economic disruption, you may be planning to mitigate the impacts of another,” said CALED President and CEO Gurbax Sahota. “This Playbook helps local leaders better understand their current economic situation and risks, identify potential impacts of a disruption, and start resiliency and recovery planning to support their community and residents — as part of building a strong, diverse and resilient economy. This includes creating opportunity for all Californians through a lens of equity and inclusion in support of underserved populations.”
This Playbook was written with the understanding that local economic developers work to foster a robust range of businesses that provide jobs and economic opportunities for residents. In turn, growing the economy increases revenues for jurisdictions so they can provide services, amenities and opportunities for their residents in a way that aligns with the community’s vision and values. A healthy and resilient local economy is essential to providing an improved quality of life for California’s residents.
To download a copy of the Economic Development Recovery and Resiliency Playbook, visit https://caled.org/economic-development-recovery.
The California Association for Local Economic Development (CALED) is California’s premier economic development association and one of the largest economic development associations in the nation. CALED’s 700+ members include economic development managers and staff in local government agencies at the county and city levels, local economic development corporations, nonprofit organizations with an economic development focus, local chambers of commerce, business councils and alliances, economic development consultants, educational institutions and key stakeholders. Since its creation in 1980, CALED has led the way in teaching economic developers, local elected officials and state representatives the value of economic development and how it is used to grow businesses, generate revenue to expand the local economy, and pay for the services that residents require. For more information, visit caled.org.


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Microsoft has revealed that three more games are being added to Xbox Game Pass tomorrow, June 25.
So, what can we look forward to? Two of the titles are completely brand-new to Xbox One - Devolver Digital's epic sci-fi thriller Observation and 2D action-platformer The Messenger, while the other is 2019's Streets of Rogue.
Here's the list, along with today's addition of noire adventure Night Call:
|June 24th||Night Call||Xbox One, PC|
|June 25th||Observation||Xbox One, PC|
|June 25th||The Messenger||Xbox One|
|June 25th||Streets of Rogue||Xbox One|
Additionally, Microsoft has confirmed that nine Xbox Game Pass titles will be leaving the service on June 30th. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can get discounts of up to 20% on each of them until that date.
Which of these new Xbox Game Pass titles are you most excited for? Let us know in the comments.


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This week in aesthetics, we highlight a new survey quantifying the QoL data for transmen post gender-affirming surgery, abdominal contouring using HIFEM and RF combination therapy, and more.
This week, consumer magazines highlight scalp skin care for alopecia patients, neck lifts for the younger generations, and more.
This week in aesthetics, we highlight PRP topical skin care, Botox for masseter prominence reduction, and more.
While regenerative medicine is still in its infancy, patient demand and ease of use are growing its popularity among aesthetic physicians. However, regulatory issues raise concerns.
In this special edition of our "Meet the Aesthetic Expert" column, Will Kirby, DO, FAOCD, talks with board-certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, about her just announced role as chief medical officer of Ideal Image, the struggles regarding BDD patients, and the expanding role of allied healthcare providers.


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Wichita State’s run good for Wichita’s exposure
Making the NCAA men’s basketball tournament? Great.
Making the Final Four? Priceless.
Cliché as it may be, that seems to be a pretty accurate representation of the exposure Wichita is getting from Wichita State University’s performance.
“We cannot buy the kind of advertising that we’re obviously getting with Wichita State’s run in the tournament,” says Ken Vandruff, communications director for the Go Wichita Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It’s fantastic for the city of Wichita.”
Go Wichita plans to exploit that link between the Shockers and Wichita with a specially designed home page, which is being designed for launch as soon as possible this week.
Vandruff expects Google searches of Wichita and Wichita State to have risen significantly in recent days, with people wanting to find out more about the city and university.
There’s really no way to track how that all translates to possible feet on the street, Vandruff says, but the attention is important.
“It’s fantastic publicity and will definitely aid our tourism efforts,” he says.
Go Wichita’s new home page will show Shocker pride while providing new visitors an expanded look at what the city has to offer, from sports to culture and more, Vandruff says.
“We want to make it very easy for people to find out more about the city of Wichita,” he says.
John Stearns covers real estate, development and banking.
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Liquor Control Board leaves bad taste in critics’ mouths with in-house wine
The fifth best-selling chardonnay on state wine and spirits store shelves is owned by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.
The LCB developed and trademarked TableLeaf wines — emblazoned with a giant T on bottles — and the brand hit stores in March 2011. Since then, the wines became popular with customers, said Joe Conti, the agency’s CEO.
TableLeaf chardonnay, for example, sold nearly 17,000 cases of 1.5-liter bottles in its first year, the fifth-most of 19 brands of chardonnays the LCB sells, according to LCB data. Top-selling Woodbridge chardonnay sold about 30,000 cases in that period.
Seven TableLeaf varieties sell in 750-milliliter and 1.5-liter bottles for $7 to $15 each.
“Usually it takes years, if not decades, to create a brand,” Conti said. “It appears by the success of TableLeaf there is a demand for that price of product that perhaps exceeds the brand names (available).”
Yet, with nearly 700 varieties in 750-milliliter bottles in the price range and more than 250 similarly priced wines in the larger size, critics question the need for an in-house brand.
“If you have a monopoly, you don’t need an in-house brand,” said Frank Gamrat, an economist with the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy in Castle Shannon. “Why are they venturing out into production? That’s not their job. Their job is to control the sale of wine or liquor, not to make or promote their own brand.”
Some critics say it’s wrong to spend public money to compete in the private sector.
“It’s inexcusable, in my estimation, that the government spent taxpayer money to brand and market products in direct competition with private industry,” said Jay Ostrich, spokesman for the Harrisburg-based Commonwealth Foundation.
“Should the people who are running the show, from a regulatory standpoint, should they be engaged in making business decisions that, if it doesn’t work out, what are the repercussions for them?” asked state Rep. Thomas Quigley, R-Montgomery County.
Quigley questioned Conti about the brand this year during a state House Appropriations Committee hearing. Conti maintains strong sales justify the need for another “value-priced” wine.
“If we’re already half the sales of the national sales leader in one year, the criticism doesn’t hold water,” Conti said.
The LCB “is doing something right” if TableLeaf sells at half the cases of a well-known national brand, said Audrey Guskey, an associate professor of marketing at Duquesne University’s Palumbo Donahue School of Business.
At some high-end wine and spirits stores, the LCB displays TableLeaf prominently at the ends of aisles at eye level. Placement and packaging are important, Guskey said.
“Labels and placement on the shelves, and name and brand recognition, are all extremely important for any type of product — but I’d say in particular for wine,” she said.
Those in the wine industry are hesitant to criticize the LCB or comment about the brand because vintners depend on the agency to stock their products.
“I know this does upset a number of our members, and I know other members of ours who don’t see this as a big problem,” said Cary Greene, chief operating officer and general counsel for WineAmerica, a national trade association for wineries.
“Obviously, we want to make sure our members are able to compete fairly in every market they’re in and that they’re able to sell their products. That said, we work closely with the PLCB, and they do sell a lot of our products. It’s a complicated situation.”
Bob Mazza, owner of Mazza Vineyards near Erie, said it was “kind of a surprise to us” when the LCB debuted its wine.
“It would be wonderful for a Pennsylvania producer to play in that arena,” said Mazza, whose wines sell in state stores. “But I don’t get real excited about it. That’s not the arena we’re in, in terms of low-price wines.
“We’re trying to produce regional-identity wines. That’s a much better approach for a small- to medium-sized producer in any state.”
Utah and Pennsylvania are the only states that control the sale of liquor and wine at wholesale and retail levels. Six states sell wine in state-run retail stores.
Vickie Ashby, a spokeswoman for the Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, said the agency has no in-house brand of wine and never discussed creating one.
Steve Schmidt, senior vice president of the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association, which represents states that control the sale or distribution of alcohol, said he knows of no other state with its brand of wine.
LCB officials initially intended to use “TableLeaf” to rename the agency’s stores TableLeaf Fine Wine & Good Spirits. But then-Gov. Ed Rendell rejected the idea because he thought the change would be too dramatic for consumers, Conti said.
Around the same time, Conti said, the wine-making market experienced a surplus of grape juice. The glut drove down prices, creating “unprecedented opportunity for the agency to consider its own product,” he said.
The LCB decided to use the TableLeaf name, which focus groups said evoked images of family celebrations that require adding a leaf to the dining room table, he said.
LCB spokeswoman Stacey Witalec said she could not break out the cost of trademarking the wine because the work was part of a larger contract.
The agency selected Bronco Wine Co. in California to blend, bottle and label TableLeaf wines because it is one of the largest producers in the state and has a good reputation, Conti said. Its wines pleased the palates of tasters who included the LCB’s wine educator, director of marketing, Chairman’s Selection buyer and an outside sommelier, he said.
Kari Andren is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. She can be reached at 724-850-2856 or [email protected].


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Images of another addition to Nokia’s Lumia range have surfaced on the web leading to speculation that the device could be unveiled at an event in China on 28 March.
The shots show a device purporting to be the Nokia Lumia 719, a device that first came to light when it appeared on the “Game Stats” section of Occassional Gamers website (recorded as a device that accessed games available from the site) although many industry commentators have questioned the authenticity of the image.
Whilst the grainy shot does depict a handset in which Nokia’s design elements are clearly identifiable, the radical departure from the Lumia’s aesthetics have raised alarm bells over just how genuine the picture is.
Spec details are thin on the ground at present although it is thought that the Windows Phone-powered handset will house a 5 megapixel camera and 3.7-inch screen featuring the same ClearBlack technology found throughout the Lumia range. It’s also claimed that the Lumia 719 will work on both CDMA2000 and GSM networks, something that ties in with the touted Chinese launch.
It’s also been suggested that the device will eventually launch in Europe, with the mid-range addition to the Lumia family being targeted at the Asia, North America and South America. The news follows the recent announcement of a version of the Lumia 900 for the European market.


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By DAVID PORTER – Associated Press
AVENEL, NJ (AP) — The familiar sights and sounds are still there: the scuffed and faded floor tiles, the unforgiving beige-on-beige color scheme, the toddlers’ clothes and refrigerators, and pretty much everything in between.
There’s even a pre-recorded shot that starts with “Attention, Kmart shoppers” — except that it’s meant to remind people of precautions related to COVID-19, rather than to lure them to a flash sale in lingerie like the old days to draw attention to.
However, many of the shelves at Kmart in Avenel, New Jersey, are empty and being taken away by bargain hunters as the store prepares to close its doors forever on April 16.
After the closure, the number of Kmarts in the US — once well over 2,000 — will be reduced to three in the continental US and a handful of stores elsewhere, according to multiple reports in a retail world now dominated by Walmart, Target and Amazon.
The Decline of the Store in the middle-class suburb, 15 miles south of New York City, is the story of the death of the discount department store in miniature.
People also read…
“You always think about it because shops are closing everywhere, but it’s still sad,” said cashier Michelle Yavorsky, who says she has worked in the Avenel store for two and a half years. “I will miss the place. A lot of people have shopped here.”
In its heyday, Kmart sold product lines endorsed by celebrities Martha Stewart and Jaclyn Smith, sponsored NASCAR auto races, and was credited in films such as Rain Man and Beetlejuice. It’s been featured in songs by artists from Eminem to the Beastie Boys to Hall & Oates; In 2003, Eminem bought a 29-room mansion in suburban Detroit that was once owned by former Kmart chairman Chuck Conaway.
The chain cemented a place in American culture with its Blue Light Specials, a flashing blue orb attached to a pole that lured shoppers into an ongoing flash sale. Part of the success was due to the early adoption of layaway programs, which allowed customers without credit to reserve items and pay in installments.
For a while, Kmart had a little bit of everything: you could buy your kids’ school supplies, get your car tuned, and grab a meal without leaving the premises.
“Kmart was part of America,” said Michael Lisicky, a Baltimore-based author who has written several books on US retail history. “Everybody went to Kmart whether you liked it or not. They had everything. you had toys They had sporting goods. you had candy They had stationery. There was something for everyone. This was almost as much a social visit as a shopping spree. One could spend hours here. And these have littered the American landscape over the years.”
Kmart’s decline has been slow but steady, caused by years of sales declines, changing shopping habits, and the looming shadow of Walmart, which coincidentally began life within months of Kmart’s founding in 1962.
To compete with Walmart’s low prices and Target’s trendier offerings, Kmart filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early 2002 — becoming the largest U.S. retailer to do so — and announced plans to close more than 250 stores.
A few years later, hedge fund manager Edward Lampert combined Sears and Kmart and promised to return them to their former glory, but the recession and Amazon’s increasing dominance helped derail those goals. Sears filed for Chapter 11 in 2018 and currently has a handful of stores in the US where there once were thousands.
Kmarts continues to operate in Westwood, New Jersey; Bridgehampton on Long Island in New York and Miami.
It didn’t have to end this way, according to Mark Cohen, director of retail studies at Columbia University in New York and former CEO of Sears Canada. Trying to compete with Walmart on price is a stupid strategy, he said, and Lampert has been criticized for not having a retail background and seeming more interested in stripping the two chains’ assets for their cash value.
“It’s a study in greed, avarice and incompetence,” said Cohen. “Sears should never have gone away; Kmart was in worse condition but not fatal. And now both are gone.
“Dealers sometimes get left behind because they’re selling things that people don’t want to buy,” he continued. “In the case of Kmart, people buy whatever they used to sell, but they buy it at Walmart and Target.”
Transformco, which owns Kmart and Sears, did not respond to an email seeking comment, and a phone number listed for the company did not take messages.
Nationwide, some former Kmarts remain vacant while others have been replaced by other large department stores, fitness centers, self-storage facilities, and even churches. A former location in Colorado Springs, Colorado is now a popular dine-in movie theater.
Employees at Kmart in Avenel learned last month that the store was closing.
Unlike 20 years ago, when news of impending Kmart closures sparked a wave of support from loyal shoppers across the country and a Detroit radio station even launched a campaign to try to save a local store, the closure of the Avenel -Locations mostly with a resignation.
“It might be a little nostalgic because I’ve lived in this area my entire life, but it’s just another retail store closure,” said Jim Schaber, a resident of nearby Iselin, who said his brother lived in the area for years Kmart shoe department worked. “It’s just another sign that people are shopping online and not going to the retail stores.”
The conclusion was even more emotional for Mike Jerdonek, a truck driver who recalled shopping at Kmart in Brooklyn and Queens in his younger days.
“It’s like the story is flashing right before our eyes,” he said as he sat in his car in front of the Avenel store. “I didn’t have any money when I was younger so it was a good place to shop because the prices were cheap. And to see that it’s gone now is kind of sad.”
Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, transcribed or redistributed without permission.


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5 ways robots and AI transform businesses and how we live
Robots have helped to transform businesses and the way we work, play and manage our lives. But the addition of AI in robotics will make things even better, leading to positive outcomes for consumers and companies alike.
Shawn Tan is chief executive of AI ecosystem builder Skymind, a machine intelligence startup company supporting the open-source deep learning framework Deeplearning4j and the JVM-based scientific computing library ND4J.
He picks the top five developments to watch in robotics and AI…
5. Financial services
Banks, lenders and insurance providers are already using robotics in the form of chatbots - also known as intelligent automation - to help clients conduct different financial transactions in a secure and conversational secure way. These bots will become even more sophisticated with AI, transforming them into ‘smart robots’ - chatbot machines which use machine learning to improve at tasks and automate what previously could only be done by humans.
According to Juniper Research, chatbots are the future of fintech customer servicing as they handle a multitude of requests from customers that can be managed by AI technology rather than human call handlers which can be deployed to deal with more complicated queries. Research shows that:
- Successful banking-related chatbot interactions will grow 3,1505% between 2019-2023.
- 826 million hours will be saved by banks through chatbot interactions in 2023.
- 79% of successful chatbot interactions will be through mobile banking apps in 2023.
4. Speedy identity checks
Products and services like updating an insurance policy, applying for a new passport or opening a bank account will all be conducted electronically. This will be performed by extracting digital data from IDs, the use of certified digital identities and facial recognition software for online identity verification. Smart robots will walk the consumer through the process. The new world of know your customer (KYC) will be remote and paperless, reducing compliance costs, bureaucracy, and approval times.
3. Manufacturing and distribution of consumer goods
Smart robots will be deployed en masse with computer vision (CV) and motion planning to sort goods and collect items from the shelf in-store the moment shoppers buy online so they can pick their goods quickly in store with minimal delay.
2. Driverless transportation
Driverless trucks and drones will be primary sources of transport for all goods, from vegetables and takeaways to vaccines. AI technology will guide the driverless vehicles to their final destination in real-time and control whether to speed it up or slow it down, thereby helping to increase fuel efficiency, reduce delivery delays and bring down maintenance costs.
1. Streamline manufacturing with no-code software
Robots have helped to revolutionise manufacturing but they still can only do one particular task. If you have an assembly line there will be multiple robots doing different jobs. However, with the rise of no-code platforms, companies will actually be able to build AI applications quickly and use them to repurpose robots and give them the capability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and with great accuracy. Companies that achieve this will be able to roll out their goods to the market faster - and more cost effectively - and will thereby have a competitive advantage over other businesses.


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Scripps Networks Interactive’s Food Network channel has launched on Polish pay TV platform Cyfrowy Polsat.
Branded Polsat Food Network, the channel is be available to all of Polsat’s subscribers via the basic tier package. Series including Barefoot Contessa, Diners, Drive Ins and Drives, Everyday Italian, Unwrapped and Food Network Challenge will air in Polish and English.
“Poland is a key territory integral to Food Network’s expansion across central and eastern Europe,” said Jon Sichel, managing director of Scripps Networks Interactive EMEA. “We are thrilled that this launch will greatly increase our footprint in the region and look forward to working with Cyfrowy Polsat to ensure Food Network’s success.”
Food Network has launched or expanded in Latvia, Georgia, Romania, Serbia and Cyprus in recent months.


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Attention, local sushi connoisseurs: There's a new fish in the pond. Last month, Hardwick-based Vermont Sushi Factory began wholesaling all-organic, made-daily maki in area storefronts and co-ops. Chances are, it's headed for a store near you.
After Jason Lutz and his wife, Sarah, welcomed a newborn daughter earlier this year, Sarah started craving sushi, Lutz recalled via phone last week. But the couple keeps a strict organic diet and couldn't find organic sushi anywhere. So Lutz found organic nori, rice and fillings and started rolling maki himself.
Lo and behold, the sushi was good — good enough to sell. Lutz teamed up with friend and entrepreneur Fred Johnson and rented space from Vermont Soy at its Hardwick plant. The Lutzes began selling maki, first to Hardwick's Buffalo Mountain Food Co-op & Café, then to other stores in their area. In the past few weeks, they've expanded to retailers in Stowe and Chittenden County.
"I realized that the end product is all about ingredients," Lutz said. While traditional Japanese restaurants generally sell very fresh fish, he went on, the other ingredients are "the cheapest they can get."
By contrast, everything in a Vermont Sushi Factory roll is organic, from the jasmine rice to the accompanying tamari packet. A tofu roll pairs Vermont bean curd with sweet potato and scallion, while a salmon roll combines wild fish with sprouts, local cream cheese and cucumber.
Also worth noting: All the fish is fully cooked. "Food safety is one concern," Johnson said, but it's also a matter of broadening the product's appeal: "If you look at market feedback, the No. 1 reason people say they don't like sushi is because it's raw fish."
If all goes well, Johnson and Lutz hope to open a brick-and-mortar takeout spot. For now, you can find Vermont Sushi Factory rolls at Montpelier's Hunger Mountain Co-op and Uncommon Market & Deli, at Commodities Natural Market in Stowe and Winooski, at Williston's Natural Provisions Market, and in a handful of smaller shops.


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It’s become even more likely that Grand Theft Auto V will grace today’s current-gen consoles. That, or Rockstar has another in-development PlayStation 4 and Xbox One project planned for release within the next year.
Earlier today, Rockstar Games’ Chief Executive Officer, Strauss Zelnick, issued a financial call pertaining to the company’s last fiscal year. During that time, it was mentioned that Grand Theft Auto V‘s 33 million shipped units helped its publisher rake in a record-setting amount of revenue. Then, following that big reveal, an unannounced ‘current-gen’ project was hinted at.
Below is a quote from said call, which doesn’t provide any details, or hint at any specific project. We’re just assuming it’s a made-over version of Grand Theft Auto V, because that’s what the rumours suggest.
“We’re excited about what [we] have in store for the new generation of systems this fiscal year,” stated Mr. Zelnick
Hopefully we’ll learn more from Rockstar at next month’s E3 expo. For now, though, all we can do is speculate.


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Oxford Street launches Beyond Now sustainability awareness campaign
Oxford Street is to launch its second-ever sustainability awareness campaign, showcasing the journey that some of the UK’s most beloved brands are on to create a more sustainable future for the high street.
Titled "Beyond Now 2022", Oxford Street has partnered with British actress and activist Amy Jackson to launch the series of sustainability focused products, experiences, events and workshops.
Taking place from 22-24 April, the campaign will see Selfridges offer resale, rental, repair and refill services, Adidas host a trainer cleaning workshop and Boots host a plastic free period event.
The Body Shop, John Lewis, Lush, Nike and Asics are also participating.
Jackson, who most recently appeared in the TV series Supergirl, has curated her own edit of 70 products across fashion, wellness and homeware to create a spring/summer capsule from the responsible and conscious collections of over 20 Oxford Street brands.
As part of the celebrations Oxford Street also launched a pledge, The Beyond Now Promise, where it will invite consumers to make personal promises that drive change towards a brighter future. Shoppers can commit to activities large and small, including re-styling their wardrobe or to exchange their car for a bike during a shopping trip. All those who make promises will also have the opportunity to win £500 to spend in a participating store.
Luciana Magliocco, Oxford Street Associate Director, commented: “As we enter our second year of Beyond Now and launch our Beyond Now Promise, we encourage everyone to take small steps together in order to make great change. With our brands, partners, ambassadors and shoppers, we stand together with a commitment to drive positive changes in the way we shop and socialise.
“Our brands are looking to the future and reviewing their offering more closely in order to become more responsible. We are already seeing exciting developments in the way of new products, rental, refill and repair services. As an iconic shopping destination, we continue to endeavour to make a difference to people and the planet, and journey on towards a sustainable future.”


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MIAMI -- The eyes of the baseball world have been on Craig Kimbrel as he has spent the past few years mixing jaw-dropping breaking balls with high-octane fastballs. Over the course of the next few weeks, these eyes will also be drawn to the gold cleats that Kimbrel will wear to raise awareness in the fight against pediatric cancer.
Through his role as the spokesperson for Players Curing Kids Cancer, Kimbrel learned that gold had been adopted as the official color to use with any endeavor that promotes September as Pediatric Cancer Awareness Month. After some thought, the Braves closer decided to have Nike design and manufacture the gold shoes he will wear whenever he pitches over the next few weeks.
"I had the cleats made myself," Kimbrel said. "It took a little bit of wheeling and dealing and ins and outs to get it done, but we were able to get it done, and I think it turned out great," said Kimbrel, who donned the cleats for the first time during Wednesday's win over the Phillies.
Fans wishing to participate in an auction for Kimbrel's gold cleats can place their bids from Sept. 20-30. All proceeds will go to Curing Kids Cancer, a non-profit charity which helps fund innovative pediatric cancer treatments. For more information about the auction visit http://curingkidscancer.org/news-kimbrel-auctions-gold-cleats-for-childhood-cancer-research.aspx.
Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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Tiffany Drops Legal Battle over Costco Engagement RingsJuly 20, 21
(IDEX Online) - Tiffany & Co has abandoned its eight-year legal battle with Costco over its sale of generic solitaire diamond engagement rings bearing the jeweler's name.
Both parties yesterday told a judge at Manhattan District Court, USA, that they had agreed to dismiss the case.
No details of the settlement were disclosed but Costco lawyer David Bernstein said the companies had "amicably resolved their dispute".
The New York-based jeweler was awarded $21m in damages in 2013, for Costco's willful trademark infringement and counterfeiting.
The warehouse club giant had claimed it was selling generic diamond solitaires with a Tiffany-style six-prong setting.
But a federal appeals court ruled in Costco's favor last August, and concluded that customers were not likely to be confused by rings bearing the "Tiffany" name.
Tiffany pledged at the time to pursue its legal action, saying it was confident a jury would find in its favor at a retrial.
Pic shows rings sold at Costco, described as "Tiffany"


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Shrinking Car Market in Japan Countered By Rise of Electric Bikes
Given that Japan’s car market has been shrinking for years, reaching a 25-year low in 2007 million, execs at Japan’s car makers must be reasonably pleased that sales in 2008 have risen in three out of the first four months of the year. In April, for instance, sales excluding Japan’s 660cc mini-cars, rose 6.9% to 232,993 vehicles.
Still, a report in today’s Nikkei, a business paper, suggests even the mildest celebrations would be premature. For the first time since data was collected in 1963, the total number of vehicles on Japan’s roads has fallen over a three-month period. Between December and February, the total number of buses, cars and motorbikes on the country’s roads fell 0.2% to 79.43 million. The Nikkei reports that comparable data has been available only since 1963, but this is likely the first three-month drop since World War II in any developed car market. That’s bad news not just for carmakers, but also insurers, gas stations, and car repair shops. It also puts the government in a bind. Its plans to spend $567 billion on road building are based on the assumption that traffic volume will peak in 2010, the paper reports.
What gives? One explanation is almost certainly Japan’s falling population. Another is the simple fact that young people, less well off than their parents’ generation, have less cash to spend on cars. In central Tokyo, a parking space—a necessity given you’re not allowed to park on the road—costs upwards of $400 a month (I’m thinking of renting mine out!). It could even be that more Japanese are switching to the next best thing: electric-motor-assisted bicycles. While auto sales have plunged, the Japan Bicycle Promotion Institute reckons 282,600 electro-bicycles, which aren’t included in the numbers, were sold last year. That’s up 40% from five years ago. Cash-conscious mothers, regularly seen around town with at least one child in tow, are the biggest customers.
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In addition to the upcoming Canon EOS M20 mirrorless camera and EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM lens, Canon is expected to announce three new tilt-shift lenses, probably at the end of August, 2017 – Will Canon announce all these new products on the same day?
The focal length of these three new tilt-shit lenses are NOT known yet, we’ll told you as soon as we find out.
In addition, the Canon EOS Rebel T7 (EOS 1400D) DSLR camera has been registered at overseas certification authority with the code name “DS126701”. It is highly likely Canon will unveil this new Canon T7 camera in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for more info.
The latest Canon Deals: Save up to $550 on selected Canon Cameras.


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A new cafe is coming to Nottingham as Koselig Cafe prepares to open its doors for the first time inside a Sherwood art gallery.
Officially opening next week on Tuesday, May 15, the business will be serving its first round of customers at its location inside A Room Full of Butterflies art gallery and gift shop on Mansfield Road.
The new business is being set up by founder Emma Hall, who originally studied fine art at Nottingham Trent University before then retraining as a pastry chef and heading to the sunnier climes of Spain where she worked in several bakeries.
Since returning to Nottingham, Emma has proven her skills around the county, working as head pastry chef at The Larder on Goosegate in the city centre as well as testing her food skills by setting up a sweet line at Welbeck Bakehouse in Worksop.
Emma, who's always aspired to set up her own cafe and decided to go it alone in early 2018, said: “Cooking is soulful and provides me with the chance to put my heart into something so essential to people’s everyday lives."
She has big plans for the cafe to serve more for the community than just food.
“We have plans for board game nights, crafternoon teas and much more in the future," she said. "I want people to come here and socialise, make new friends, relax, spend time appreciating the experience and feel like they are eating at a friend’s house."
Koselig Cafe - the name of which is derived from the Norwegian word that loosely translates in English to "cosy" - will offer up an extensive breakfast and lunch menu to customers, including pancakes, smoothie bowls, waffles, cakes and much more.
The new business will also offer a made to order cake service for celebrations including birthdays and weddings.
Koselig Cafe will open to customers on May 15.


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Stay on target
Once upon a time arcade machines and home consoles had a roughly equal amount of power and influence over the video game industry. Playing games at home was convenient but also compromised compared to the visually stunning arcade originals. Plus paying a quarter and hanging out with friends is sometimes preferable to buying a whole cartridge.
But that’s over. Everyone plays games at home or online. The arcade is a celebrated part of gaming’s legacy but the actual machines themselves are limited to nostalgic niches like arcade bars. The newest light gun game I still see at movie theaters is based on 2009’s Terminator Salvation.
And that’s why it’s so shocking to me to see so many new arcade machines announced at E3 2019.
Devolver Digital is making an original light gun game based on its successful bullet hell roguelike Enter the Gungeon. Check out Enter the Gungeon: House of the Gundead, expanding the Gungeonverse in 2020.
Arcade1Up is selling relatively affordable arcade cabinet replicas housing various Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Marvel Super Heroes beat ‘em ups and fighting games. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Turtles in Time, Marvel Super Heroes, X-Men Children of the Atom, and The Punisher. Unlike miniature machines like the recent Namco Museum Mini Player, these are full-sized cabinets.
Later in the show, Arcade1Up also revealed a slew of new machines including head-to-head cocktail tables based on Capcom and Namco multiplayer hits, as well as the return of the classic Atari Star Wars Trilogy arcade games complete with X-Wing pilot controller.
While it’s not exactly an E3 announcement, we’re still buzzing about the absolute work of art that is this homemade Super Smash Bros. Melee arcade cabinet in California.
And while this isn’t exactly an arcade cabinet, this Miller Lite beer can that doubles as a game controller has the same energy as a totally inexplicable E3 hardware reveal. Plus at the show they’re letting people use it to play Eric Andre in Street Fighter V, which is close enough to a new arcade game.
So why is this happening? Is this the next step in the retro console arms race, like the Sega Genesis mini and Capcom arcade stick? Is everyone trying to chase the Killer Queen indie arcade machine money, even as Killer Queen Black moves to consoles this year? Or do more folks just think it would be cool to have their own arcade machines, enough folks to make an actual market. Whatever the reason, the future of video (as usual) seems to be the past.


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The running week is quite important for Facebook. Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg has to be present at US Congress tomorrow. He has to give explanations regarding multipurpose problems of the social media. But, the company is likely to get into more troubles due to unauthorized handling of numbers of users’ data. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) of USA may charge a fine with such figure to clear which world’s one of the richest companies may face huge problem.
Facebook signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with FTC in the year 2011. As per the agreement, Facebook is not supposed to cause any breach regarding the privacy and security of users’ personal information. To handle the data, Facebook must take permission from the users. Facebook must remain committed to the privacy concern of billions of their users. Facebook is not developed to hamper users’ privacy and FTC will ensure it.
Considering this, there was a provision to fine up to 41 thousand 484 US dollars. Recently, personal information of billions of Facebook users have been illegally handled and allegedly received by London based political consultancy firm Cambridge Analytica and for this reason, the amount that FTC may fine Facebook is around 7.1 trillion US dollars, as per calculation of the dominant news media Washington Post.


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Warlocks vs Shadows Launch Trailer
Warlocks vs Shadows launches officially today on Steam!
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Del Taco debuted a new, smaller restaurant model in late August, using the pickup and delivery-focused “Fresh Flex” design the company initially introduced in 2021.
The Lake Forest-based restaurant chain opened its first drive-thru only location in New Mexico, which marks the latest installation of Del Taco restaurants designed with more technology and a smaller physical footprint.
The model also creates more real estate flexibility and could reduce buildout costs, according to Chief Development Officer Tim Linderman.
The Albuquerque restaurant runs 1,200 square feet, compared to the typical 2,000 to 2,400 square footage of freestanding locations. The latest design includes a walk-up window and pickup lockers for online orders and delivery drivers alongside the drive-thru lane.
“With so many pickup options, it caters to what today’s tech-savvy and ‘on the go’ consumer expects,” Brand President Chad Gretzema, who was promoted from chief operating officer to the top role in 2022, said in a statement.
The drive-thru only model is also the newest venue option for Del Taco franchisees to choose from with the Fresh Flex design.
San Diego-based Jack in the Box Inc. (Nasdaq: JACK), which bought Del Taco in 2022 for $585 million, began selling company-owned Del Taco restaurants to new and existing franchisees last November.
Fifty locations were refranchised during Jack’s third quarter, bringing the total amount to 73. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2022, Del Taco’s franchise count has grown 24%.
New development agreements have been made for locations in Las Vegas, Orlando, Houston, Montana, Wyoming and California.
“We are also making progress on the integration and refranchising of Del Taco, which is delivering incremental development commitments, as well as further progress toward net new unit growth and an asset-light company,” Jack in the Box CEO Darin Harris said in a statement.
Jack in the Box expects to refranchise between 90 and 120 locations over the course of 2023. The average initial investment for buying a Del Taco franchise ranges from $812,700 to $2.5 million.
Del Taco counts almost 600 restaurants and roughly half are company owned. Up to 250 locations could be refranchised, according to reports.
Del Taco’s systemwide sales increased 1.6% to $231 million for the 12 weeks ended early July.
Del Taco’s most recent opening is another sign of the acceleration of digital-focused restaurants in the quick-service industry.
Newport Beach-based Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc. (NYSE: CMG) has been developing its Chipotlane locations since 2018 and out of the 236 new openings from last year, 202 included a drive-thru.
The chain currently has around 600 Chipotlanes with plans for the concept to take over the majority of its portfolio.
Irvine’s Taco Bell introduced a two-story location with a four-lane drive-thru last year as part of its “Taco Bell Defy” program. Along with its Go Mobile concept from 2020, these digital-focused restaurant models aim to decrease the taco chain’s drive-thru times.
Taco Bell and Chipotle are Orange County’s two largest locally based restaurant chains with 2022 sales of $14.7 billion and $8.6 billion, respectively.
Del Taco ranked No. 6 on the Business Journal’s list of largest restaurant chains in May with $957 million in annual sales.


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After driving sales online and away from brick-and-mortar retailers, Amazon is now looking to partner with stores to ride the popularity of buy online, pick up in store.
On Thursday, Amazon announced Counter, a new service that will allow customers to pick up Amazon packages from select retailers’ stores. Amazon’s initial launch partner for Counter in the U.S. is Rite Aid, with the service currently available at 100 Rite Aid stores and rolling out to 1,500 by the end of the year.
Additionally, Amazon said in its press release that it’s “actively looking to bring additional partners onboard, including small to midsize businesses and other large chains.”
Here’s how the service will work: when customers check out on Amazon, the site will show them all of the Counter pickup locations in or near their zip code, and ask if they want to send their package to one of them. Customers will have 14 days to pick up their package from the store, and are given a barcode to show store staff to scan.
“Being the first store partner for Counter in the U.S. is a differentiator for Rite Aid,” Jocelyn Konrad, executive vice president of pharmacy and retail operations for Rite Aid, said in a statement. She also added that Rite Aid believes the service will “create a stronger in-store experience for existing customers and new customers that come in to pick up their packages.”
Amazon is pitching retailers on the fact that it believes its service will help them drive additional foot traffic and that it’s developed a checkout system that will “ensure store associates can serve customers without disrupting their daily activities.” But Andrew Lipsman, an e-commerce analyst for eMarketer, said that the rollout also coincides with some of Amazon’s brick-and-mortar competitors pointing to buy online, pick up in store as a service that’s becoming popular among their customers. Both Target and Walmart have increased their delivery capabilities over the past year, using store networks to their advantages.
“It’s one of the fastest segments of e-commerce growth and where Amazon is currently at a disadvantage vs. top competitors like Walmart and Target,” Lipsman said.
Rite Aid isn’t the only retailer currently partnering with Amazon. Next month, Kohl’s customers will be able to return select items bought through Amazon to any one of its stores nationwide. Additionally, Amazon announced last month that it’s adding Amazon Lockers — through which customers can both pickup and return packages to 200 SteinMart stores, which is a discount department store chain.
The Amazon isn’t giving any one retailer exclusivity over the service will likely deter some retailers from partnering with the e-commerce giant. But for struggling retailers, it will be hard to say no.
Rite Aid, for example, reported yesterday during its first-quarter earnings that its revenue from continuing operations totaled $5.37 billion, compared to $5.39 billion during the same time last year. Rite Aid sold 1,932 stores to competitor Walgreens last year — after trying but failing to get approval for a merger — to offload some of its underperforming real estate.
“Those retailers in desperate need of driving footfall will definitely consider overtures from Amazon, even though they may be uncomfortable doing so,” said Neil Saunders, managing director of GlobalData Retail.


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The findings within some sectors were particularly troubling.
Sydney, Australia (PRWEB) February 13, 2013
The results of a new study by the Australian Chapter of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID-ANZ) will be formally released at a media conference at 10 a.m. on Tuesday 19 February.
The study took place in January and February 2013. A licensed private investigator casually examined the contents of publicly accessible waste bins used by businesses that have an established responsibility to protect client data. The study was designed to discover the relative percentage of confidential waste that might be available on any given day at a cross section of data-sensitive organisations.
The findings within some sectors were particularly troubling. The study will detail why consumers should be asking questions about what organisations are doing with sensitive information.
“According to the Australian Crime Commission, identity theft is the fast growing crime in the country,” said Global NAID CEO Bob Johnson. “Studies have shown that these criminals often rely on low-tech, untraceable sources of personal information. Dumpster diving is a big part of their trade craft.”
The media conference will also detail how Sydney-area companies fair with respect to similar metropolitan areas around the world where comparable studies have been carried out. In addition, Johnson and the private investigation firm carrying out the study will share the results with the media at the press conference. Also, in attendance will be top officials from the Office of the Australian Information Commissioner and the Department of the Australian Attorney General.
For a media pass or if you have more questions, please contact Nick Hill from Hillster Marketing on +61 (0)419 371 018 or nick(at)hillster(dot)com(dot)au. Share your thoughts about this issue and follow others on Twitter by using #lookinyourbin.
About NAID-ANZ: NAID-ANZ is a chapter of the National Association for Information Destruction (NAID), the non-profit trade association of the secure destruction industry, currently representing over 1,900 member locations globally. NAID-ANZ’s mission is to promote the proper destruction of discarded information through education and to encourage the outsourcing of destruction needs to qualified contractors, including those that are NAID certified.


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Restrictions will be slightly eased in West Dunbartonshire as the area moves down to level three on Friday.
Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the move this afternoon, ending a three-week lockdown which shut hospitality business and non essential shops across the area.
The new rules will come into force at 6pm on Friday, though retail premises can reopen from 6am on Friday to help stores and shopping centres manage the flow of customers.
The First Minister said: "I can confirm that all 11 local authorities currently in level four will move to level three on Friday."
In an appeal to residents to "exercise caution", she added: "I appeal to everyone coming out of level four to exercise caution.
"Progress can very easily go into reverse so please continue to abide by the rules."
The region has been under the tightest level four restrictions since the system was introduced in November, forcing the closures of non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants and hairdressers.
The announcement comes as Covid infection levels dropped again across the region to 86.6 per 100,000 people - lower than the Scottish average of 100.3.
At the beginning of November, there were 208 cases per 100,000 people in West Dunbartonshire, which means the figures have more than halved.
The announcement also comes as the first people were vaccinated against Covid-19 today.
The First Minister added: "This is a milestone we have all longed for.
"It offers hope at long last that we may now be at the beginning of the end of this pandemic."
Welcoming the news, West Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes said: "It's welcome news that West Dunbartonshire continues to make progress in tackling Covid-19 and will no longer be subject to the highest level of restrictions.
"The sacrifices everyone's being asked to make are hard, but they are making a difference in driving down infection rates and protecting our NHS.
"Case numbers across West Dunbartonshire have more than halved in recent weeks, giving real cause for optimism as the roll-out of the vaccine begins.
"We're not out of the woods quite yet though. Even with case numbers down, this deadly virus is still circulating and remains a threat.
"As restrictions ease it's critical we continue doing all we can to keep ourselves and loved ones safe by following the latest guidance."
These are the new level three rules which will come into force in West Dunbartonshire:
Meeting other households
- You are not allowed to meet anyone in your home or their home who is not from your household.
- Restaurants, cafes, pubs and bars can reopen, but only for food and non-alcoholic drinks. Venues must be closed by 6pm, with last entry at 5pm. The maximum number of people who can meet indoors - or outdoors - in public is 6, from no more than two households.
- As per tier 4, you must not travel into or out or tier 3 or 4 areas 'except for essential reasons'.
- All retailers can re-open (not just essential retailers), as long as Scottish Government guidance is followed.
Hairdressers and other 'close contact' retail services
- Close contact retail services are permitted to operate providing they follow Scottish Government guidance to ensure the safety of customers and staff
- 'Mobile close contact retail services' are not permitted to trade.
- This means that hairdressers, barbers, beauty and nail services can trade
- Hair removal, tattoo, piercing and body modification, fashion design, dress-fitting and tailoring, indoor portrait photography and massage therapies can also re-open in tier 3 provided they follow the safety guidelines.
Weddings and funerals
- Wedding receptions and post-funeral gatherings (such as wakes) can take place in tier 3, with a maximum capacity of 20 people.
Care home visits
- As well as 'essential visits', as per tier 4, indoor visits with one designated person for up to four hours once a week are permitted in tier 3.
- Unlike tier 4, driving lessons are permitted in tier 3.
For the full rules and restrictions in both tier 3 and 4, you can visit the Scottish Government website here.


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Fintech collaborations focus on fixing pandemic-struck supply chains
The coronavirus dealt a double blow to procurement, cutting off both goods and money. Banks and e-commerce firms are relying on partnerships to tweak payment tools to rescue the market.
In the past few days, MSTS and Alibaba.com have collaborated to embed trade financing on a cross-border e-commerce site; meanwhile BNP Paribas entered a deal with Coupa to offer a virtual card to improve visibility for supply chain billing and payments.
These deployments reveal more attention on B2B payments than in the past, placing supply chain transactions on par with consumer payments innovation after years of lagging behind.
MSTS clients, the sellers, offer 30- or 60-day terms to buyers. Alibaba.com provides an international supplier network, B2B payments via its e-commerce platform and ancillary merchant services such as digital trade shows. Alibaba.com and affiliates such as Ant and its Alipay wallet are best known for their huge e-commerce market in China, and Alipay’s success over the past few years in building an international network by enabling Chinese consumers to pay retailers in their own currency when outside China.
This has given Alibaba.com the ability to manage currency exchange, one of the factors that can complicate international supply chains. It’s a major point of competition among fintech firms, particularly those that use blockchain technology to eliminate the third parties that slow cross-border payments and extract fees for managing currency conversion.
Alibaba.com has moved into supply chain payments for businesses more recently. A 2019 deal with Office Depot provided Alibaba.com access to 10 million business customers while providing U.S. small businesses access to more than 150,000 suppliers in Alibaba.com’s global network.
International suppliers usually require more than half of a payment upfront, exposing the buyer to working capital shortfalls, said Brandon Spear, president of MSTS.
“A huge piece of this is fixing the effect that [each] transaction has on capital,” Spear said. “With the broader world of the pandemic and the impact that has on small to midsize businesses, this is one of the tools that could be a pathway back to normalcy.”
Allen Bonde, vice president and research director serving application development and delivery professionals at Forrester Research, said he’s tracing about 400 niche marketplaces for small-business supplies, and is noticing a shift to online marketplaces for procurement as businesses streamline operations to improve visibility into cash positions.
“It’s not a new idea — Dell had a marketplace like this 20 years ago — but it’s a channel that’s more relevant than ever,” Bonde said.
Alibaba.com’s scale can also provide a competitive response to Amazon’s buy now pay later program for businesses. “MSTS allows Alibaba.com to have similar capabilities to Amazon,” Bonde said.
The supply chain woes that have accompanied the coronavirus shutdowns have become a major opportunity for financial technology firms and banks contending they can either bolster working capital or improve payment terms and cash positions.
Crowdz, for example, recently collaborated with Barclays, one of its investors, to build InvoiceXchange to connect businesses, replace PDF invoices with digital versions and perform other processing functions such as reconciliation.
BNP Paribas’ integration with Coupa Pay powers a virtual card that the bank's business clients can automatically send to suppliers.
That will automate invoice matching, reconciliation and tracking, which by design would allow buyers to negotiate terms or gain more visibility.
These partnerships are betting the reluctance of businesses to shed paper, such as invoices, is melting away due to financial stress. The accounts receivable departments at many businesses have been displaced from offices, creating an additional need to automate payment processing.
“There are a lot of initiatives that are about removing friction from buying and selling,” Bonde said.


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Evergreen Beauty College is a place of learning, growth, and self-reliance. We believe that all of these characteristics are fostered by a culture of appreciation. That’s why we feature new students every month as our Digital Marketing Award winners.
Check out this energetic display of Evergreen Beauty College’s Future Professionals and their creativity at the Slay the Runway fashion show!
For the past 3 years, Evergreen has put on a Halloween themed fashion show. The first one was held at the Everett campus and has quickly evolved over the past few years.
Evergreen Beauty College is pleased to recognize this month’s Digital Marketing Award recipient: Danielle Reynolds! Danielle is one of our talented cosmetology students. This award highlights a student who is excelling in their online self-promotion efforts.
The coveted Digital Marketing Award for this month has been given to one of our talented cosmetology students: Jiovanna Liriano! Congrats, Jiovanna!
As the Vice President of Business Development and Industry Relations, I felt it is important to pass along the information for those who could not make it to the state test overview meeting last weekend. This meeting was hosted by the new testing vendor who will administer the written and practical for beauty school
Evergreen Beauty College is pleased to recognize this month’s Digital Marketing Award. The student receiving this award is Daria Ward!
The digital marketing award is presented to a student who we believe has really put themselves out there on social media.
We know that the struggle of finding a Halloween costume is real, but our quiz will help make that decision a little easier this fall!
Social media is an important part of networking and marketing for beauty professionals.
The Digital Marketing award from Evergreen Beauty College recognizes students of ours that we think represent themselves and their work with style and class on social media.
While all of our students are top-notch (we think, anyway) this month, we want to recognize a student who really captured our attention online: Katie Hunter!
We think Evergreen students are the best around! That may be us being a little bias, but can you blame us? Our students are completely outstanding!
This month we wanted to feature a student who we think really exemplifies everything we love about Evergreen Beauty College.


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SAN FRANCISCO -- For Bay Area couple Kristen Brillantes and JP Reyes, food is a love language. So, instead of throwing a big wedding to celebrate their relationship, the duo bought a food truck to share their favorite Filipino flavors and encourage community togetherness.
"We got the truck instead of getting married, it was the same cost," said Co-founder and CEO Brillantes. "Now, we have our second location inside of the Chase Center and have expanded to catering."
The popular food truck serves up Filipino-American comfort food, including lumpia, noodles, adobo, sisig, and more. The shop also bottles its 100% plant-based and gluten-free sauces, as well as its acclaimed Halo Halo Milktea.
At the heart of the business is the idea of co-creation over competition, in an effort to contribute to the growth and well-being of the community.
"What I found to be uniquely different about us as first-gen business owners is that we're actively trying to help each other," said Brillantes. "When we do food festivals, we make sure that our menus don't overlap or that if they do we like encourage everybody to try each other's dishes."
Through their unique and tasty offerings, the couple continues to grow a business that encourages community togetherness.
"Our ultimate goal is to work with each other, just to be around each other and vibe off of everyone's energy," said Reyes.
"It's been a really great experience of togetherness that feels like we're also pouring back into a community and getting to make new memories together," adds Brillantes.


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June 07, 2012
The contest, which honors the best in local neighborhoods, runs from June 5 to July 6. The grand prize: a VIP all-inclusive weekend to the awards show.
The “Steve Harvey Morning Show” and Ford Motor Company have teamed up to bring you a new life experience in Las Vegas with the “Escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards” video contest, which kicks off June 5.
Hosted for the 10th year by the top-rated radio host, best-selling author of the book (and the film version of) “Think Like A Man” — and the host of TV’s “Family Feud” — Steve Harvey’s highly anticipated awards show honoring the nation’s best community leaders, educators, neighborhood churches and local businesses will be a blowout celebration, with the chance for lucky listeners to experience Las Vegas’ glittering entertainment and majestic attractions in this new contest.
A once-in-a-lifetime grand prize adventure for a listener and three guests, the Escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards takes the winner and guests to Las Vegas for a VIP all-inclusive weekend Aug. 3−6 at the Ford Hoodie Awards. Featured are luxurious pampering, entertainment, a Grand Canyon helicopter ride and traveling around the city in an all-new 2013 Ford Escape.
To enter the Escape awards video contest, from June 5 to June 27 listeners can log on to www.SteveHarvey.com to submit their video on “Why they need to escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards,” check out the new Ford Escape and more.
The “Steve Harvey Morning Show” and Ford Motor Company will judge all entries and post the top three videos on www.SteveHarvey.com, starting July 2, where listeners can vote for their favorite video through July 5. The video receiving the most votes will win the grand prize, and one lucky voter will receive a prize package for two to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards.
“We are extremely excited to once again be partnering with ‘The Steve Harvey Morning Show’ on yet another exciting promotion tied to the Ford Hoodie Awards,” said Shawn Lollie, multicultural marketing manager at Ford Motor Company. “Last year we created the ‘craziest wedding proposal contest,’ where one lucky couple won a trip to Las Vegas to attend the Hoodie Awards and get married. This year, we are giving ‘Steve Harvey Morning Show’ listeners the chance to tell us why they need to escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards with the hopes of winning a trip to this year’s show and spending a weekend about town in an all-new 2013 Ford Escape. We are giving folks a chance to get brand new for the weekend in the Ford Escape.”
Steve Harvey adds, “This is the 10th anniversary of the Hoodie Awards, and we are doing it big with Ford and this once-in-a-lifetime fun adventure to experience the Hoodie Awards Weekend and great attractions of Las Vegas. The winner will be driving around Las Vegas in a new Ford Escape and taking a helicopter ride to the Grand Canyon, so make sure to get your videos and votes in.”
Created in 2001 by Steve Harvey and television/radio producer Rushion McDonald to give star treatment to everyday men and women who uplift their neighborhoods, this year’s 10th anniversary Ford Hoodie Awards show will be bigger than ever. The show has become the crowning honor for urban communities.
Voting for the 12 awards show categories will also kick off on “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” from June 4 to June 19, with voting open on www.SteveHarvey.com in one category per day.
Listen to “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” weekdays on your radio or online live 6 – 10 a.m. EST for updates, laughs, daily inspiration and more. And log onto www.SteveHarvey.com. It’s the central place to submit videos for the contest, to vote and to see a rundown of contest rules, award nominees, tickets, packages for the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards.
The “Escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards” grand prize winner and voting prize winner will be unveiled on “The Steve Harvey Morning Show” on July 6.
“Escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards” contest details:
Entry period: June 5 – June 27
Voting period: July 2 – July 5
Winner announced: July 6
Grand Prize: Escape to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards VIP Trip for Four
• Round-trip Airfare for 4 people from their hometown to Las Vegas
• Accommodations for 4 days/3 nights in a 2-bedroom, 2-story Skyloft Hotel Suite at the MGM Grand
• Dinner for 4 at Tom Colicchio’s Craftsteak at the MGM Grand, with comedian Lavell Crawford
• Spa treatment for 4 at the MGM Grand Spa and Health Club
• 4 tickets to the State Farm Freedom Friday Party on Aug. 3, starring comedian Sheryl Underwood and featuring live performances by Anthony Hamilton and Charlie Wilson
• Opportunity to walk the Ford Celebrity Blue Carpet prior to the Awards Show with Ford Multicultural Marketing Manager Shawn Lollie
• 4 exclusive front-row recliner lounge chairs to view the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards Show on Aug. 4, hosted by Steve Harvey
• Helicopter ride for 4 to the Grand Canyon
• One VIP beach bungalow, with catering for the beach party on Aug. 5, with performances by Keith Sweat and Robin Thicke
• 2013 Ford Escape vehicle to drive around Las Vegas for the duration of the Hoodie Awards Weekend
Voting prize: Trip for 2 to the 2012 Ford Hoodie Awards
• Round-trip airfare for 2 people from the listener’s hometown to Las Vegas
• Hotel accommodations in Las Vegas for 3 days/2 nights
• 2 tickets to the State Farm Freedom Friday Party on Aug. 3, starring comedian Sheryl Underwood and featuring live performances by Anthony Hamilton and Charlie Wilson
• 2 tickets to the 10th Annual Ford Hoodie Awards Show on Aug. 4, hosted by Steve Harvey.


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- Heka Trading will showcase impressive lineup of medical equipment and integrated health solutions
- Dubai Derma participation the latest step in Heka Trading’s commitment to “advance the standards of patient care and well-being across a broad spectrum of medical needs”
Dubai, UAE – Heka Trading, a leading provider of innovative medical devices, integrated healthcare solutions, and skincare products, is set to showcase a comprehensive range of its latest offerings at the upcoming Dubai Derma, taking place from March 5-7 at Dubai World Trade Center (DWTC).
The leading dermatology and laser event in the Middle East and Africa (MEA), Dubai Derma will once again welcome speakers, surgeons, skincare practitioners, industry experts, and key stakeholders for its 23rd edition next week.
Alongside excellent educational opportunities over its three-day duration, a specialized exhibition will be held in conjunction with the conference like always – providing an interactive avenue for healthcare entities to promote their newest products and equipment available on the market today.
In line with this tradition, Heka Trading will showcase its impressive lineup of medical equipment and integrated healthcare solutions at the annual showpiece. With a particular focus on aesthetic, physio, and slimming clinics alongside medical, rehabilitation, and wellness centers, Heka Trading looks forward to evolving healthcare sector needs while engaging with hospitals, medical directors, specialist doctors, laser therapists, dietitians, purchasers, and retailers.
Dr. Nour Kafri, Distribution Manager - Medical Equipment at Heka Trading, said: “We are thrilled to be participating at Dubai Derma 2024 and look forward to engaging with attendees from across the region and wider world while showcasing our cutting-edge medical equipment and integrated healthcare solutions. Our emphasis on aesthetic clinics, medical centers, and various healthcare segments reflects our commitment to advancing the standards of patient care and well-being across a broad spectrum of medical needs.”
Heka Trading has provided attendees with a first glimpse of what they can expect to see at the event. The equipment and solutions include Z TONE, a high-energy inductive device for muscle growth and body shaping; Z WAVE, an aquatic shock wave device for body tightening; and Z LIPO, a cryolipolysis device used to support patients with their slimming goals.
Other Heka Trading innovations on display will include 10 THERA, a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for skin tightening and lifting; and REXONAGE 3, patented quantum molecular resonance (QMR) technology for toning, tightening, lifting effect, and lymphatic drainage.
Additionally, attendees will have opportunities to become acquainted with Dermio Care Plus for skin rejuvenation and YouthHeal Exoprime Skin Booster, which features vegetable exosomes and sturgeon sodium DNA for skin enhancement.
For more information on Heka Trading and its devices, solutions, and products, kindly visit: Heka Trading - Heka Health
Mohamad El Fil
BEYOND Marketing & Communications


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Work-from-home policies, social distancing and government lockdowns have increased the demand for video conferencing apps, for both business and personal use. According to a new report from App Annie, business conferencing apps have been experiencing record growth as a result, and just hit their biggest week ever in March, when they topped 62 million downloads during the week of March 14-21. Meanwhile, social networking video app Houseparty has also seen phenomenal growth in Europe during lockdowns and home quarantines.
The jump in business app downloads to 62 million across iOS and Google Play earlier in March was up 45% from just the prior week. It was also the highest growth among any category across the app stores that week, the report said. And it was up 90% from the weekly average of business app downloads in 2019.
Zoom topped the charts worldwide in February and March, and continues to see high numbers of downloads in the U.S., U.K. and elsewhere in Europe.
Video calling and educational usage of Microsoft Teams productivity software had risen in recent weeks as employees work remotely and schools cancel in-person classes.


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A third-generation family-owned bakery in Redford Township is expanding with the help of a $50,000 state grant.
Ackroyd's Scottish Bakery to use $50,000 grant to expand
Ackroyd's Scottish Bakery, which makes meat- and vegetable-filled pies, shortbreads, scones, sausages and more, on Wednesday received a Food and Agriculture Investment Fund grant from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. The grants, awarded to four Michigan businesses, are aimed to spark growth and help better meet consumer needs, according to a release from the state.
Ackroyd's, owned by Royal Oak resident Megan Ackroyd, will use the $50,000 grant to support a $1.2 million expansion project. The company plans to move from its current 3,000-square-foot space to a new 7,600-square-foot facility, also in Redford Township, according to the release. The move will help create a more efficient operation and allow room for additional equipment. The expansion will create four new jobs, bringing the company's total staff to 16.
Ackroyd's also expects to increase its Michigan-based sourcing by at least 20 percent, the release stated.
The bakery is pursuing U.S. Department of Agriculture inspection, which will allow for wholesale accounts and co-packing opportunities.
Ackroyd's, which sold its products from a retail shop for 70 years, moved to a 100 percent e-commerce model in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Megan Ackroyd took over ownership of the business, established by her grandfather and great uncle in 1947, in 2016 following the passing of her grandfather.
Ackroyd joined the family business full time in 2010 after a career in corporate purchasing and sourcing. In recent years, the company has averaged at least $1 million in sales annually. The bakery shifted to curbside pickup and online service last year early in the pandemic and ships all over the country.
In a Facebook post Wednesday, Megan Ackroyd said the bakery had been seeking the grant for some time and called receiving the funds "thrilling."
"It's imperative to have an open mind, willing to push past some of our self-imposed obstacles, in order to evolve," Ackroyd said. "And sometimes that difficult work can lead you to a $50,000 grant."
Other grant recipients:
- Carbon Green BioEnergy in Lake Odessa: The biofuels and animal feed production facility will receive an $85,000 grant to put toward an $8.7 million project to help diversify the grades of alcohol it produces. The company, according to an MDARD release, sources corn from more than 600 local Michigan farms. The project will add an additional $11 million worth of corn purchases from Michigan farmers and help provide products to Michigan's various grades of alcohol markets, including low-carbon ethanol for automobile, industrial, beverage and other uses.
- Coulter's Farm Properties LLC in New Era: It will use its $75,000 grant for a $4.58 million project that will include additional controlled atmosphere rooms for the storage of apples, asparagus and other seasonal items such as peaches and cherries. The project will create six new jobs.
- Cultured Ferments Co. LLC of Traverse City: The organic kombucha tea producer will receive $10,000 for a $110,061 project that will help it expand its product line to include cultured hard kombucha and a new line of cultured hop teas. The project will add two new jobs to the existing three.


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Both LG and Nokia have been dropping strong hints that they will be adding in augmented reality applications and features to their upcoming smartphone releases.
Augmented reality is essentially a process which overlays the world around you with 3D displays and information in real time via your mobile phone.
In theory, pointing your phone's camera at an advert will provide more information about the featured product, or snapping a restaurant will display
When LG's Android-based LG-LU2300 smartphone arrives, augmented reality will be one of its key selling points. South Korean consumers will be getting the technology first in time for the summer of this year.
Nokia's Jo Harlow has disclosed that Ovi Maps could well be integrated into the augmented reality apps on future smartphones from the Finnish manufacturer.
Speaking to Nokia Conversations, Ms Harlow said: "What I get excited about and [what] you can see on the horizon are the types of things that really enhance the services that we're offering, the kinds of things that enhance the maps experience in the areas of augmented reality."
Nokia began working with researchers at the University of Southern California on augmented reality technology in 2009 and, as such, it is in a better position than most to bring out the first mobile phones offering these advanced features.


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Sterling Cut Glass moving online only, expanding in NKY
- Despite plans to shutter its Kenwood Towne Centre store, Sterling Cut Glass is planning for growth.
- The Erlanger-based company plans to build a new headquarters at the Circleport Business Park.
- Al. Neyer could break ground on the 56,000-square-foot facility next month.
In a move to transform itself into an online-only retailer, Sterling Cut Glass plans to close its Sycamore Township store and build a new headquarters, production and warehousing facility in Northern Kentucky.
The Erlanger-based company, which sells crystal and monogrammed glassware and custom-made crystal products, expects to break ground next month on a 56,000-square-foot facility at the CirclePort Business Park, said Mike Dyas, Sterling’s president and chief executive. The company has a contract to buy 6 acres of land, near Olympic Boulevard and Turfway Road close to the Boone-Kenton County border, from Covington-based Corporex Cos.
Sterling plans to move about 75 workers from its headquarters to the Al. Neyer-built facility in early 2015, when the company’s current lease expires at 3233 Mineola Pike.
The Sycamore Township store, which employs about 10 people, will close Sept. 30. It has operated in Kenwood Towne Centre for more than nine years. Monogram orders will continue by phone after the store closes.
The company previously had a store in Hyde Park.
Sterling Cut Glass, founded in 1902 in Mount Adams, generated nearly $13 million of revenue last year. Brick-and-mortar sales accounted for less than 20 percent of the total. In addition to custom-made items, it also sells Waterford, Mariposa and Nambe crystal products, among others.
“While currently a relatively small portion of our overall business, we feel retail sales of monogrammed glassware and crystal has the potential to appeal to a much broader national audience via an enhanced online experience,” Dyas said.
Dyas said the company will focus on sales to golf and corporate clients. Sterling Cut Glass produced items that were available at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort and Country Club and at the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club. It now counts more than 3,000 golf and country clubs as clients. The corporate division designs and etches custom crystal awards and recognition products for thousands of business-to-business customers.
Dyas, who has led the company since 1976, said the changes also support the company’s succession plan. His father bought the Sterling Glass company in 1950. Dyas’ son Brook currently works as vice president and chief operating officer, and he’s expected to be the company’s next leader. No timetable was given for the transition.
“I feel like I’m going to be leaving him with a real clean slate,” Dyas said. ⬛